Jody, oh the joys of living in the Pacific North West. I presume that you have fairly soggy weather too, like me. Our firepit is a great source of weekend marshmallow and weenie roasts too in the spring (and summer too). We don't have fear of burning up the forests here because we are such a moist climate. Late summer we don't light the firepit though, there are chances of sparks as the summer has dried the trees so much, though. Have a beautiful and wonderful great day, Cindi